Former Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL) has been sentenced to five years in prison and a three-year supervised release for her role in using a sham charity — One Door for Education — to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars and then spending the money for personal use.

Action News Jax reports Brown was convicted on 18 counts, including stealing from the charity, filing false tax returns, and wire fraud. Two accomplices — Carla Wiley and Ronnie Simmons — were also sentenced after pleading guilty and testifying against Brown.

There is a chance Brown's sentence could be increased, as the U.S. Attorney's Office has accused her of lying on the witness stand.

Before she entered the courtroom to be sentenced, Brown stopped and prayed with some of her supporters:

In November, the 71-year-old Brown and her lawyer asked the judge to consider probation because of her age and her public service record: “I ask that you take into consideration all that I've done in my life and I've come to ask for mercy and compassion.”

The former congresswoman will surrender to the authorities on January 8 to begin her sentence.